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2007 Nissan Frontier Full Review
Date Published: 3/05/08
2007 Nissan Frontier Review
A longer available bed for Crew Cabs is the main 2007 news for Nissan's compact pickup truck. Frontier offers two cab styles. Extended-cab King Cabs have rear-hinged back doors that don't open independently of the fronts, flip-up rear seats, and a 6.1-ft cargo bed. Crew Cabs have a rear bench seat and a 5-ft bed. Both come in SE, LE, and NISMO trims; Kings also offer XE models. The King's 6.1-ft bed is newly available on SE and LE Crews. XEs have a 154-hp 4-cyl engine. Other Frontiers have a 265-hp V6. Manual transmission is standard: a 5-speed with the 4-cyl, a 6-speed with the V6. A 5-speed automatic is optional. All Frontiers are available with rear-wheel drive and all but the XE are available with 4-wheel drive. The 4WD system includes low-range gearing but should not be left engaged on dry pavement. ABS is standard. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags for both seating rows are optional. So is traction/antiskid control. The NISMO is named for Nissan's motorsports arm and comes with heavy-duty off-road equipment. A factory spray-in bedliner is available. Leather upholstery is an exclusive option for LE Crews and includes heated power front seats.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota and Honda Ridgeline.

New or significantly redesigned is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
News
Last redesigned for 2005, Frontier reportedly gets a freshening come model-year '08. We think the updates will be relatively minor. Meantime, Nissan has lately agreed to share some products and technology with Suzuki. One result is that Suzuki is expected to get a version of the Frontier for model-year '09.
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2007 Nissan Frontier Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration (V6) Interior materials
Maneuverability
Rear-seat room
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
6 6 6 5

No opportunity to test 4-cyl or long-bed Crew Cab. V6 Frontiers are strong from a stop and around town, especially the lighter King Cabs. Automatic transmission kicks down quickly for good midrange passing punch. Maximum towing capacity is 5000 lb.
Fuel Economy

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
4 4 4 3.8

Test automatic-transmission 4WD Crew Cab averaged 14.5 mpg. Frontier uses regular-grade fuel.
Ride Quality

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
5 5 5 4.6

Firm but absorbent. Sharp ridges register, but don't jar. Typical trucklike bounding, jiggle over bumps is quickly quelled. Various tire sizes make little difference to comfort.
Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
4 4 4 3.9

Nicely balanced for a pickup truck. Steering weighty, direct, but slow enough to frustrate in tight U-turns and parking spots. Body lean evident in corners but well-controlled, and Frontier never feels tippy.
Quietness

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
4 4 4 4.5

V6 growls at full throttle, but isn't unduly loud. Wind rush evident over 60 mph, rises sharply with speed. Tires drone on coarse pavement, and NISMO's all-terrain tires whine at highway speeds.
Controls

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
5 5 5 5.9

Simple, handy layout. Controls within easy reach, but feel light and plasticky. Hard plastic abounds on dashboard, console, door panels, and looks low-buck; other cabin materials predictably workmanlike.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
6 6 6 5.3

Good six-footer head and leg room. Seats comfortable, but need more side bolstering to hold front passengers in place through turns. Wide-base windshield pillars can hinder visibility to front corners; good views to rear corners, directly aft.
Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
2 3 3 2.9

King Cab's rear seats best used for small cargo; only preteens will fit. Crew Cab has more space, but leg room still kid-size with front seats even partially back, and head room is tight for six-footers--especially beneath sunroof housing.
Cargo Room

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
3 3 3 4.1

Both cab types provide useful space behind front seats. Some thoughtful small-items storage up front, though console's shallow tray needs a rubber mat to keep objects from sliding around.
Value within Class

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
6 6 6 6

Frontier carves out a nice niche for itself in the compact-pickup market with a powerful V6 engine, middle-of-the-pack size, and options that appeal to off-road enthusiasts. Ride and handling are also good for the class, but interiors disappoint with too much tacky plastic and subpar rear-seat room.
Total Score

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto. 4WD LE Crew Cab w/5-ft bed, auto. 4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto. Class Average
45 46 46 46
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score
31
Average Score
46
High Score
60
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2007 Nissan Frontier Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 11/15/2006
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
2WD XE King Cab extended cab long bed, manual $16,050 $15,179 $650
2WD XE King Cab extended cab long bed, automatic $17,100 $16,172 $650
2WD SE King Cab extended cab long bed, manual $18,950 $17,922 $650
2WD SE King Cab extended cab long bed, automatic $20,000 $18,915 $650
4WD SE King Cab extended cab long bed, manual $21,650 $20,249 $650
4WD SE King Cab extended cab long bed, automatic $22,700 $21,232 $650
2WD SE Crew Cab short bed, manual $20,800 $19,671 $650
2WD SE Crew Cab short bed, automatic $21,850 $20,664 $650
2WD SE Crew Cab long bed, manual $21,600 $20,427 $650
2WD SE Crew Cab long bed, automatic $22,650 $21,420 $650
4WD SE Crew Cab short bed, manual $23,500 $21,979 $650
4WD SE Crew Cab short bed, automatic $24,550 $22,961 $650
4WD SE Crew Cab long bed, manual $24,300 $22,727 $650
4WD SE Crew Cab long bed, automatic $25,350 $23,709 $650
2WD LE King Cab extended cab long bed, automatic $22,900 $21,418 $650
4WD LE King Cab extended cab long bed, automatic $25,600 $23,676 $650
2WD LE Crew Cab short bed, automatic $24,600 $23,008 $650
2WD LE Crew Cab long bed, automatic $25,100 $23,476 $650
4WD LE Crew Cab short bed, automatic $27,250 $25,201 $650
4WD LE Crew Cab long bed, automatic $27,500 $25,433 $650
2WD NISMO King Cab extended cab long bed, automatic $22,600 $21,137 $650
4WD NISMO King Cab extended cab long bed, manual $24,250 $22,427 $650
4WD NISMO King Cab extended cab long bed, automatic $25,300 $23,399 $650
2WD NISMO Crew Cab short bed, automatic $24,650 $23,055 $650
4WD NISMO Crew Cab short bed, automatic $27,350 $25,294 $650
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
XE
Powertrain
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front-seat active head restraints, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, rear jump seats (King Cab), rear-hinged rear doors (King Cab), tachometer, visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo-box light.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Tailgate lock, painted front bumper, chrome rear bumper.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Full-size spare tire, 235/75R15 tires.
SE adds to XE:
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine, 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, folding rear seat (Crew Cab), front-hinged rear doors (Crew Cab), AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, map lights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear privacy glass, sliding rear window, bedliner (Crew Cab), chrome front bumper.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Front tow hook, 265/70R16 white-letter tires, alloy wheels (Crew Cab long bed), 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
LE King Cab adds to SE:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, trip computer, illuminated visor mirrors.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bedliner, step rails, fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
265/65R17 tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
LE Crew Cab adds to LE King Cab:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rack, body-colored bumpers.
NISMO adds to SE:
Powertrain
Traction control, locking rear differential.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, trip computer.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Skid plates, off-road suspension, 265/75R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 4-wheel traction control.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Preferred Pkg.
XE
$1,550
$1,345
Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, AM/FM/CD player, sliding rear window, rear privacy glass.
Value Truck Pkg.
SE King Cab
$1,300
$1,182
SE Crew Cab short bed
$1,350
$1,228
SE Crew Cab long bed
$1,000
$909
Power Pkg. plus traction control, floormats, bedliner (King Cab), bed extender (Crew Cab), alloy wheels (King Cab, Crew Cab short bed).
Power Pkg.
SE King Cab
$1,050
$911
SE Crew Cab
$1,250
$1,085
XE
$950
$825
Cruise control, interior air filter (SE), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, theft-deterrent system w/alarm. XE requires Preferred Pkg.
Audio Pkg.
LE/NISMO King Cab
$550
$478
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, steering-wheel radio controls, theft-deterrent system w/alarm. NISMO requires Utility Bed Pkg.
Traction Pkg.
4WD LE
$700
$607
4WD NISMO automatic
$500
$433
Traction control, antiskid system, hill ascent/descent control. 4WD LE Crew Cab long bed requires side steps.
Utility Bed Pkg.
NISMO King Cab
$700
$607
Bedliner, bed-rail caps, Utili-Track, tie-down cleats. Std. NISMO Crew Cab, LE.
Leather Pkg.
LE Crew Cab
$1,700
$1,474
Leather upholstery, heated front seats and mirrors, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat. Deletes fold-flat passenger seat. Requires power sunroof. 4WD LE long bed requires side steps.
Rockford Fosgate Pkg.
LE/NISMO Crew Cab
$850
$738
Rockford Fosgate AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, steering-wheel radio controls. NISMO requires power sunroof. 4WD LE Crew Cab long bed requires side steps.
Appearance Pkg.
XE
$550
$478
Chrome front bumper, 265/70R16 white-letter tires. Requires Preferred Pkg.
Powertrain
Active Limited-Slip Braking System
SE, LE
$350
$304
Traction control. SE requires Power Pkg. 4WD LE Crew Cab long bed requires side steps.
Safety
Side-Impact Airbag Pkg.
LE Crew Cab, LE King Cab, NISMO, SE, XE
$550
$478
Front side airbags, curtain side airbags. LE requires Active Limited-Slip Braking System or Traction Pkg. LE/NISMO Crew Cab requires power sunroof. 4WD LE Crew Cab long bed requires side steps.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
SE/LE Crew Cab
$700
$607
NISMO Crew Cab
$900
$780
NISMO includes roof rack. SE requires Power Pkg. 4WD LE Crew Cab long bed requires side steps.
Cruise control
XE
$300
$260
Requires Preferred Pkg.
Satellite radio
LE, NISMO
$350
$304
King Cab requires Audio Pkg. Crew Cab requires Rockford Fosgate Pkg. 4WD LE Crew Cab long bed requires side steps.
Floormats
LE Crew Cab, LE King Cab, NISMO, SE, XE
$90
$68
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Side steps
4WD LE Crew Cab long bed
$300
$260
Bed extender
LE Crew Cab, NISMO, SE, XE
$260
$195
NA LE King Cab.
Sliding bed extender
LE/NISMO King Cab, Crew Cab
$300
$231
NISMO King Cab requires Utility Bed Pkg.
Bedliner
King Cab
$430
$311
Std. LE, Crew Cab.
Sliding bed divider
LE, NISMO
$270
$204
NISMO King Cab requires Utility Bed Pkg.
Hard tonneau cover
SE, LE, NISMO
$1,060
$916
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Tow-hitch receiver
SE, LE, NISMO
$410
$318
Alloy wheels
SE King Cab, SE Crew Cab short bed
$400
$347
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2007 Nissan Frontier Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Nissan Frontier extended cab Nissan Frontier crew cab short bed Nissan Frontier crew cab long bed
Wheelbase, in. 125.9 125.9 125.9
Overall Length, in. 205.5 205.5 219.4
Overall Width, in. 72.8 72.8 72.8
Overall Height, in. 68.7 70.1 70.1
Curb Weight, lbs. 3675 4226 4336
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. -- -- --
Standard Payload, lbs. 1583 1482 1482
Fuel Capacity, gals. 21.1 21.1 21.1
Seating Capacity 5 5 5
Front Head Room, in. 39.7 40.0 40.0
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.4 42.4 42.4
Rear Head Room, in. 38.3 38.7 38.7
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 25.4 33.6 33.0
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 dohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.5 /152 4.0 /241
Horsepower @ rpm. 154 @ 5200 265 @ 5600
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 173 @ 4400 284 @ 4000
Availability Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
   
5-speed manual 22/25 --/--
6-speed manual --/-- 17/21
5-speed automatic 19/24 16/20
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Nissan Frontier extended cab Nissan Frontier crew cab short bed Nissan Frontier crew cab long bed
Front Impact, Driver 3 NA NA
Front Impact, Passenger 3 NA NA
Rollover Resistance 3 NA NA
Side Impact, Driver 5 NA NA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 5/60,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: USA
Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
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